The attractive and bold looks of the boxy 2023 GMC Terrain hide the fact that its features and performance don't deliver a winning package in the ever-competitive compact crossover market. All Terrain models feel underpowered, the result of a versatile and underenthusiastic 175bhp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The spacious and comfortable interior is held back by simple equipment and average-quality materials. Switching to the expensive Denali model would help solve some of these issues, but rivals like the Mazda CX-50 and Honda CR-V offer better features and better performance for the same price.
What's new for 2023?
GMC has kept changes to the 2023 Terrain to a minimum, but has added five horsepower, bringing the total output of the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to 175 horsepower. Two new paint colors are added this year, as well as revised 19-inch alloy wheels for the Elevation package, available for SLE and SLT models. A Black Diamond Edition package is added for the Denali package.
To keep the price of the Terrain down, we chose the SLE model. It comes with a host of equipment considered must-haves by today's compact SUV buyers, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a host of driver assistance features.
Engine, transmission and performance
The Terrain comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel or all-wheel drive. We've never tested such a car, but we did test this engine in its manual twin, the Chevrolet Equinox; acceleration to 60mph took 8.9 seconds. The Terrain provides a cozy and comfortable ride for its occupants. While the plush suspension is a boon on long highway journeys, the comfort-oriented settings rob the compact crossover of driver engagement when the asphalt gets twisty. Similarly, the straightforward yet sharp steering for easy cornering at low speeds proves as uninformative as a mob boss in a police interrogation room.
Real fuel economy and MPG figures
The EPA estimates that the Terrain with front-wheel drive consumes up to 25 mph in the city and 30 mph on the highway; with all-wheel drive, highway consumption drops to 28 mph. We have not yet tested the Terrain under highway fuel economy conditions, but we will update this article when we do. For more information on Terrain fuel economy, visit the EPA website.
Interior, comfort and cargo
The spacious and airy interior is let down by poor build quality and an average mix of materials. Meanwhile, the Terrain's intricate and ergonomic push-button switches sprinkle salt on the interior wounds of this compact crossover. Consisting of a number of switches, similar to window control buttons, it is positioned low on the center console and is less intuitive to use. While we think owners will get used to it over time, we found the small buttons hard to find at a glance - especially when fumbling for reverse, making it difficult to perform quick three-point turns or operate the transmission's manual mode. The Terrain is a practical partner for carrying large loads of various sizes. The standard rear seats can be folded in a 60/40 ratio, as can the front seats. The Terrain's load compartment offers class-competitive space. In our hand luggage test, the Terrain could accommodate 24 suitcases with the rear seats folded; those seeking the absolute maximum cargo space would be better served by the CR-V, albeit only marginally.
Infotainment and communication features
Easy to operate and quick to respond to commands, the Terrain's infotainment system features clear graphics, logical menus and the latest in-car connectivity features. Apple CarPlay wireless, Android Auto and an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot come as standard. The integrated navigation system is standard on the top-end Denali and available on other models. There is a heads-up display - standard on the Denali and optional on the SLT and AT4 - but unlike other GM vehicles where this feature is displayed on the windshield, the Terrain uses a pop-up panel at the top of the dashboard.